Washington once more on alert ahead of rally celebrating Jan. 6 rioters

WASHINGTON — The 7-foot, black metal fences surrounding the US Capitol were back, congressional offices were closed, and Washington on Friday was once more on edge, as law enforcement officials prepared for a gathering of far-right protesters expected on Saturday, just over eight months after a mob of insurrectionists stormed the seat of democracy on Jan. 6.

Organized by a former Trump campaign staffer, Saturday’s “Justice for J6” rally is an attempt to rewrite the history of the violent Capitol attack, casting the more than 600 rioters who face federal charges as “political prisoners” and their anti-democratic desire to steal an election as a noble truth-telling mission.

But unlike on Jan. 6, Donald Trump won’t be there to fan the flames, and no Republican member of Congress has announced they are attending, dampening enthusiasm among potential attendees who are speculating online it could be a trap.

Even so, federal and local law enforcement stressed they would not to be caught unaware this time around, erecting barricades around the Capitol and providing ample security ahead of time.

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